SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
December 16, 2024
Sullivan’s Salvos 12/19/24
In this edition:
*RIP Congressman Jim Leach
*Merry Christmas!
*Happy Hanukkah!
*Salvos Salutes Next Week!
*Washington County and Wind Turbines
*Yes, Virginia…
*Remember Phone Numbers and Addresses?
*Legislative Priorities
*Did You Know?
*RIP Congressman Jim Leach
Almost a year ago to the day I had the pleasure of having supper with Congressman Leach at the Hamburg Inn. (In front of his photo, no less!)
Politics can be a nasty business. There were many, many things about which the Congressman and I disagreed. I worked against his reelection for years! Graham-Leach-Blilely set up the 2008 economic crisis, from which we are still recovering in some ways.
One thing we did agree about - politics does not *need* to be a nasty business! Congressman Leach always treated me with the utmost respect, and reminded me more than once that he was my constituent!
I appreciate Congressman Leach, and my thoughts and prayers go out to all his family and friends. RIP.
*Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate it. I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday!
*Happy Hanukkah!
Happy Hanukkah to those of you who celebrate it! Chag Urim sameach!
*Salvos Salutes Next Week!
We live in a GREAT county! Why? Because of the great people that live here! Unfortunately, we rarely do enough to acknowledge these wonderful people and the wonderful things they do.
That is why I really look forward to Salvos Salutes. It provides an opportunity to mention just a few of these cool people and the good things they do. I hope you look forward to it as well!
*Washington County and Wind Turbines
I was frustrated – but not necessarily surprised – to see the Washington County Board of Supervisors pass rules that effectively ban wind turbines in their county.
Hey, I get it. I believe in local control. I wish Governor Reynolds and the Republicans in the Iowa Legislature let Johnson County have some local control! These guys in Washington County (they are all guys) were elected to make these types of decisions for the people they represent.
But it is a terrible decision, made for all the wrong reasons. I know the Republican Party line is that wind power is somehow bad. But that is all disinformation. The science is really clear. If our grandkids are going to be able to live on this planet, we need to drastically reduce our carbon footprint. The best way to do that is wind and solar. We should be quintupling our investment rather than reducing it.
It is frustrating, because we can continue to cut our carbon emissions, but if their emissions continue to rise, there is nothing we can do. They basically have a legal right to foul our environment next door.
I think the thing that bothers me the most is the hypocrisy. The people who come in and complain about turbines and solar panels all talk about “ruining their view.” That sounds eerily similar to CAFO neighbors, who complain of the smell and adverse health effects from air and water pollution. Except while the CAFO neighbors have actual health problems, the buttercup wind/solar neighbors are simply “offended” by the view. So their views are protected, but our air and water are not? It’s bullshit! (Actually hog shit, but I digress.)
*Yes, Virginia…
I was recently reading the story of Francis Church’s 1897 masterpiece editorial, “Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus.”
I can be overly sentimental. But this is one of the finest pieces of writing in the history of the English language. And he wrote it for a daily paper! There was no opportunity for lots of rewrites and editing.
Please take a moment and read it again. Especially in these times, it will really warm your heart!
*Remember Phone Numbers and Addresses?
(This ran in Salvos in 2023. I am just as frustrated by it today!)
I worry that sometimes Salvos sounds like a weekly dose of Andy Rooney. I know I am getting old, but certain things really bother me.
One is the availability of addresses and phone numbers. In the good old days, we had phone books. You looked people up by name, and it gave you their address and phone number. (People could opt out if they wished.) Easy, right?
Now, in the so-called “information age,” I cannot get a phone number or address to save my life! Sure, there are 20+ sites on the internet, each hoping to sell me the little bits of the info I seek. Each one requires me to spend a couple minutes, only then explaining that they want to charge me.
Look, I respect the fact that some people want additional privacy. They should go for it. That should be available to them. But most Americans feel much the same way they did in the 70s – that being, sure, make my info available. I want to find and be found by others. And it seems wrong that big corporations can get all our info, but our friends cannot.
It is truly maddening! In 1970, I could have the info I need in under 90 seconds. In 2024, I am simply SOL. How is this progress?
*Legislative Priorities
The Iowa Legislature begins soon, with Democrats at a distinct disadvantage. Unlike at the Federal level, where the House and Senate are almost equally split, the Iowa Legislature is tilted heavily toward Republicans. As a matter of fact, Republicans have their biggest advantages since Iowa went to a 100 member House and 50 member Senate!
I have heard that Democrats are debating how they should approach the upcoming Iowa Legislative session. Obviously, they are not going to get many of their initiatives passed. So what should they do?
I think it is still critically important to introduce bills that reflect the types of things you would do if you were in power. Here are some of my suggestions:
Taxes: Raise income taxes on those earning over $300,000. Raise them higher for those who earn even more.
Economics: Raise the minimum wage. Require paid sick leave for all jobs. Stop wage theft. Put back Chapter 20, and remove the frequent union recertification votes. Hire more OSHA inspectors and increase penalties. Hire more wage and hour inspectors and increase penalties. Cut back on non-compete agreements.
Social services: Increase funding for food banks and shelters. Dramatically increase funding for affordable housing. Increase State Childcare Assistance rates, and make it available to more people. Universal preschool for four-year-olds. Increase SNAP (food stamps) funding and make it available to more people.
Health care: Restore Roe V. Wade rules for abortion. Increase Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates. Get rid of Managed Care Organizations. Create more beds for folks with serious mental health issues. Increase oversight of nursing homes.
Environment: Clean up Iowa’s water. Hold polluters accountable. Increase wind and solar production. Increase funding for parks.
Public education: Increase funding for K-12 education. Increase funding for community colleges. Increase funding for Regent’s institutions. End the flow of public dollars to private schools.
Government: Restore local control to local governments.
We could discuss more. That is a short list. Some topics are probably viewed as more “politically popular” than others. But I think putting forth this agenda would go a long ways toward explaining to Iowans where Democrats stand.
Yes, we know none of things are likely to pass. They aren’t even likely to get discussed. But Democratic Legislators do have a bit of a soapbox. I hope they use it to push these ideas.
No matter what Democrats decide to do, I hope they are bold. I mean, what do they have to lose?
*DID YOU KNOW? The term "Xmas" dates back to the mid-1500s and comes from the Greek letter X, which is the first letter of the Greek word for Christ.
Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
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---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 10:23 PM
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